It's no secret that a change in season means a TON of new opportunities for new and exciting photoshoot locations, themes, and sets. Today, we wanted to talk about leveling up your summer photo shoots with the use of summer props, some obvious ones, and maybe some that you may not have even thought about!
Lets start with something simple - Pool and beach accessories! This can be anything from beach balls, inner tubes/floaties, to towels and sunglasses! The possibilities are endless, and the best part? Pretty much anything can be a prop!
Picture this- you are at the beach with your friends, and want to capture the moment of you all together - under the shade of an umbrella, with your big beach hats. now - you all could just cram together and smile - OR you could level up your photo with the use of some simple props around you!
Now, rather than simply sitting under an umbrella smiling, you and your group of friends are building a sandcastle together - shovels and buckets in hand, laughing, smiling - a natural moment captured - rather than simply sitting on some beach towels under an umbrella --- now, both shots would have been great, but with the simple addition of some buckets, shovels, and sand - you've captured a candid memorable moment. You've captured a memory, not just a moment. That is the power of props!
Let's explore some fun props for the pool and/or beach, and see how people have used similar props.
Our first topic, is pool floaties.
This tube, although seemingly so simple can make for some incredibly cute poses, both in the water, and out! Lets take a look at some examples
Now, floaties are not limited to simply the OG circle shape - they also come in a TON of shapes, sizes, colors, and sometimes are meant for your whole squad to jump on into! Lets take a look at some cute and funky options.
Shop this FunBoy Disco dome here
Shop this flamingo floatie here
having a fun shaped floatie makes for the cutest photo ops! Lets look at some cute photos that would not have been possible without these funky props.
Now that we've gone over one of the more obvious options for a fun summer prop, lets take a look at some every day items that most people dont think about as being a prop - some of these items are even flexible in other seasons as well!
First and foremost, small accessories - were talking hats, sunglasses, purses, etc. Anything that is apart of your outfit, that is removable - is also considered a prop! Lets take a look at some examples of what we mean, and where you can shop those examples if you're feeling extra inspired!
Sunglasses:
These cute heart shaped glasses are shoppable at target here
Here are a couple of ways to use sunglasses as a prop to level up your poses!
Lets look at some cute and functional bags that would make super cute accessories to any summer outfit, no matter the time or place!
Shop these bag HERE - This is a large "beach" style bag, we call this a Beach style because of the size, this bag is large enough to fit towels, sandals, sunscreen - the full works!
Shop these bags HERE
These bags are a fun and stylish addition to any summer fit. These bags are made of a jelly material- they are giving very much so Jelly shoes (they actually might be made of the same material lol)
These bags are a small hand-bag type of style, but being they are small- they may be more practical for a summer brunch with your friends on the beach, or if you're simply going down to your local pool for a few hours. What ever you decide- this bag makes a cute and cost effective option for a bag!
Lets look at some handbags in action for photoshoots to see how some models have used bags to enhance their shoots!
Lets look at one more type of wearable summer accessory - this one will not only look super cute, but also offers some protection from the sun - Hats! Now, hats come in a variety of styles, shapes, and colors - so lets look at a few different options!
Shop this look HERE
This first hat is super cute! This "bucket" style hat offers protection from the sun at a 360 degree scale. We love bucket hats because they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and patterns. This particular hat we found on Shein, but you can likely find hats at most local stores- they usually come back into stores (for those who may not carry them year round) around spring-summer time.
Shop this cute bucket hat HERE
Shop this bucket hat HERE
The next style of hat that we are going to look at is what most people think of when they think of a summer hat - a classic Sun Hat!
Shop either of these hats on Urban Outfitters (click each photo for the direct link to the hat style!)
Shop this look at Kohl's HERE
Shop this look at LuLu's HERE
Lets take a look at some fun summertime photos using hats as an accessory as well as a prop!
We wanted to share this photo with everyone to show how this model is using the hat to shade their face, making the photo less harsh on the model's face - by the light being less harsh on the face, it makes the overall composition of the photo more palatable.
No matter what kinds of props and accessories you decide you want to use this summer season, we hope that this blog post help give you some fun & funky ideas to level up your summer photoshoots- whether they are poolside, on the beach, or just out and about with your friends! We can't wait to see all of the content that you create!